Artichoke plant named BCS 7-12

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Artichoke plant named ‘BCS 7-12’. This new variety is characterized by red or violet bud color. Further, ‘BCA 7-12’ has a significantly larger fruit size and an earlier maturation compared to other red artichoke varieties. This variety has also shown to be more vigorous than its parents with a larger leaf area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofartichoke plant, botanically known as Cynara scolymus L., and hereinreferred to by the cultivar name ‘BCS 7-12’. This new variety ischaracterized by red or violet bud color, and a significantly largersize and an earlier maturation compared to other red artichoke varietiesknown to the inventor. This variety has also shown to be more vigorousthan its parent with a very large leaf area.

[0002]Cynara scolymus L., commonly known as Globe artichoke, is aperennial herb and is a member of the family Asteraceae, also known asthe Compositae family. Globe artichokes comprise: leaves, which arepinnately lobed, but primarily spineless; globose capitula composed ofoverlapping layers of large involucral bracts; and receptacles, whichare enlarged and fleshy. Globe artichoke plants are essentially grownfor the production of the immature flower heads (or buds), which areconsidered vegetable delicacies. Fresh artichokes may be steamed,boiled, or baked after which the fleshy receptacle, inner and outerbracts, and parts of the floral stem may be eaten.

[0003] The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding programcarried out by the inventor, M. Chahbandar near Perpignan, France. Itwas selected from a hybrid cross of the artichoke variety Chrysanthemeand the artichoke variety BH 35-22. The inventor performed asexualreproduction of the new cultivar via division. It was demonstrated thatthe combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the newcultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The following traits have been repeatedly observed and aredetermined to be basic characteristics of ‘BCS 7-12’. These traits incombination distinguish the artichoke variety as a new and distinctcultivar. ‘BCA 7-12’ is characterized by a red or violet fruit budcolor. It has a significantly larger size (weight can be as much as600-650 gm.) and an earlier maturation compared to other red artichokevarieties known to the inventor. ‘BCS 7-12’ has also proven to be morevigorous than its parents with a larger leaf area.

[0005] ‘BCS 7-12’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variationsin environment such as temperature, humidity, light intensity and daylength, without any change in the genotype. However, the followingobservations, measurements and values, except for seed observations,describe the new cultivar as grown in Lompoc, Calif. under conditionswhich closely approximate those generally used in horticulturalpractice. Seed observations were carried out in Perpignan, France.

[0006] Lompoc is located on California's central coast in Santa BarbaraCounty. Conditions can vary in the summer months. Air temperatures canrange between the low 60's to 80's. The relative humidity is generallyhigh. Prevailing winds are northwesterly and rainfall averages 12 inchesper year.

[0007] In the following description, holding quality was measured by thephysical appearance of the head. This includes the head's appearancefollowing 3 and 7 day storage periods in cold storage at 34° F. Thehead's exterior (oxidation) was observed at each of the two observationpoints. Browning and blackening of plant tissue was evaluated as light,moderate and extreme. Overall storage response was measured by observingheads following 3 and 7 day cold storage periods. These observationsconcentrated on visible color variability and/or presence of lesions orother cosmetic anomalies. Leaf ratio (L/W) was determined by dividingrepresentative leaf sample lengths by their width. Finally, headresponse (weather) was determined by observing the heads at maturity.These field observations focus on the presence or absence of bronzing,necrotic or chlorotic lesions or any abiotic responses to environmentalconditions. AFLP (DNA analysis) was conducted on each parentalselection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] This new variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographicdrawings, with such colors in the photograph being as true to those ofthe plant as can be reasonably obtained from conventional photographicprocedures. In such photographs:

[0009]FIG. 1 shows a side elevational view of ‘BCS 7-12’s fruit in fullcolor.

[0010]FIG. 2 shows a side elevational view of ‘BCS 7-12’s foliage infull color.

[0011]FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the vertical cross-section of ‘BCS7-12’s fruit in full color.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] The following observations, measurements, and values describe thenew artichoke plant is based upon observations of plants grown inLompoc, Calif. The data was collected from tissue culture plants grownin Perpignan and acclimatized in California. Selections were made inoutdoor field settings. The plants were grown in the soil in rows whererow spacing (bed centers) was at 80 inches, and individual plant spacingat 24 inches. The plants were then planted in July and the observationsdescribed herein taken in December of the next year. Color referencesare measured against The Royal Horticultural Society Colour.

[0013] General:

[0014]Parentage.—Hybrid cross between Chrysantheme and BH 35-22.

[0015]Classification.—Cynara Scolymus L. cv BCS 7-12.

[0016]Propagation.—Asexual production by division.

[0017] Plant:

[0018]Height.—83.9-111.8 cm; average 100.1 cm.

[0019]Width.—177.8-236.2 cm; average 205.2 cm.

[0020]Form.—Full.

[0021]Growth habit.—Upright.

[0022]Vigor.—Vigorous.

[0023] Side shoots:

[0024]Number.—7.2 per plant.

[0025]Development.—Vigorous.

[0026]Color.—Green group 143 b-c.

[0027]Foliage density.—Dense.

[0028] Capitulum:

[0029]Primary size.—Approximately 12.4 cm.

[0030]Shape.—Round compact with a slight pyramidal.

[0031]Texture.—Hard and smooth.

[0032]Fragrance.—Tangy with citrus overtones.

[0033] Bract:

[0034]Length.—Approximately 7 cm.

[0035]Width.—Approximately 4 cm.

[0036]Shape.—Ovate, medium width of the base, medium length, thick, andlonger than broad.

[0037]Texture.—Hard and smooth.

[0038]Number.—Approximately 152 per head.

[0039]Color (inner).—Green group 138 a-b, and Grayed purple group 183c-d at the tip.

[0040]Color (outer).—Grayed Purple group 183 a-b.

[0041]Firmness.—Firm and fleshy with thick basal thickness.

[0042]Spinosity.—None, or minimal — less than 1 mm.

[0043]Basal thickness.—6-17 mm.

[0044] Miscellaneous:

[0045]Heart description.—Slight concave full more flat than Green Globe,well developed with thick bract connection.

[0046]Heart color.—Yellow green group 145 d.

[0047]Receptacle thickness.—1.7 cm.

[0048]Florets.—Sterile.

[0049]Pappus length.—1.8 cm.

[0050]Pappus color.—Yellow green group 145 d.

[0051]Head firmness.—Firm, heads are dense and solid.

[0052]Gloss.—High; more glossy than Green Globe.

[0053]Cold storage response.—Some minor cut stem discoloration. After 7days there is some fading of red/purple color.

[0054]Head response (weather).—After frosts the outer epidermal layer ofthe outer bract can separate, thus exposing a green layer underneath.Further, after prolonged exposure to sunlight the purple color becomesslightly greenish.

[0055] Foliage:

[0056]Shape.—Long strap-like leaves with regular dentate.

[0057]Length.—Approximately 116.8-138.4 cm.

[0058]Width.—Approximately 62.2-73.7 cm.

[0059]Main stem diameter.—7.0-9.2 average 8.0 cm.

[0060]Distance between main lobes.—Approximately 7.4-8.9 cm.

[0061]Leaf ratio.—Approximately 1.8-2.1 cm.

[0062]Leaf areas.—Approximately 3,038-4,014 cm sq.

[0063]Upper leaf surface color.—Green group 136 a-b.

[0064]Lower leaf surface color.—Green group 139 b-c.

[0065]Texture.—Slight but uniformly textured.

[0066]Pubescence.—Sparse, some visible pubescence on lower leaf surface.

[0067]Lobe width.—Approximately 11.4-14.9 cm.

[0068]Lobe indentation.—Approximately 7.0-7.6 cm.

[0069]Petiole width France.—Approximately 6.0 cm.

[0070]Petiole width.—Approximately 3.8-5.8 cm.

[0071]Petiole thickness.—Approximately 2.2-2.5 cm.

[0072]Petiole color.—Green group 139 c.

[0073] Seeds:

[0074]Shape.—Ovoid asymmetrical.

[0075]Number.—Very irregular.

[0076]Length.—8-10 mm.

[0077]Color.—White yellow.

What is claimed is:
 1. The new distinct variety of artichoke plantsubstantially as shown and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by the characteristics listed above.